“A student who believes that one or more University of Oregon agents or employees has acted in an arbitrary manner or has acted in non-compliance with federal or state law, policies, directives, or administrative rules, or has acted in a way that exceeds authority or abuses discretion, to the personal detriment of that student, shall file a grievance…”
Before finality had been given any chance to settle over our student body elections, Rock the Yellow campaign manager and ASUO elections finance coordinator Matt Rose’s grievance against the student Elections Board on Monday ensured it would go on longer. His grievance – which asserts that advertising money to the Emerald constitutes a campaign contribution – is the latest in a string that have hampered the political process of our student government and diminished its reputation.
Rose asked that a run-off election be implemented, which would amount to a re-vote and start over a process that has already been plagued with numerous accusations and counts of political maneuvering. The only certainties of a new election are that it would bring just as much baggage with it as the first, and that fewer students would turn out to vote in it. The grievance process is set out for us students to ensure our peers in student government are executing their duties in good faith. But when this right is abused, the ASUO stops representing everyday students and becomes more about ASUO “insiders,” manipulating the rules for their own personal gain.
This is not a matter of right versus wrong or just versus unjust, but of common sense and respect for the regulations set in place. Grievances are assessed on a case-by-case basis – and rightly so. But frivolous grievances and political maneuvering have plagued this election. Petitions and accusations have likewise overwhelmed the Elections Board, and as a result Senate Seats 13 and 16, the business administration and science seats, respectively, were forced to hold new elections this week – despite outright winners having been proclaimed last Friday. Whether Matt Rose’s claim is correct or not, the necessity of his grievance – and others like it that would accuse individuals of partisan campaign tactics – is suspect. All students should respect the avenues of communication they have with the ASUO, whether it be grievances, petitions or otherwise. They are in place for our benefit, and should be used for only such reasons.
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